Childbirth - Coping with Pain: Breathing Techniques and Vocalization

Breathing Techniques and Vocalization

Breathing techniques have been used in childbirth preparation for over fifty years. Many couples find modifying breathing helps them cope very well with the powerful sensations and emotions of labour. Breathing techniques:

• are used to enhance comfort, control anxiety and aid in concentration
• are skills that can be used to cope with painful or anxiety-producing situations throughout life
• can be used alone or in combination with relaxation and massage techniques
• are used when necessary for comfort
• are usually personally modified
• can help prevent hyperventilation (over-breathing) which results in dizziness or shortness of breath

Tips for Using Breathing Techniques

• Take a deep easy breath at the beginning and end of a contraction. It provides a mind and body set and is a non-verbal sign to partner(s) that a contraction is in progress. It also provides oxygen to the baby.

• Choose a focal point, something to concentrate on during breathing. This can be an external point that you are actually looking at, or an internal focus that you visualize with closed eyes.

• Breathing too quickly (from anxiety or too enthusiastic practice) can make you feel dizzy or short of breath. This is called hyperventilating. If this happens, breathe slowly into cupped hands until you feel better for one to two minutes

• Adjust the rhythm of your breathing to your own comfort. Some people prefer to let their breathing change naturally as the contractions change. In this case, breathing as slowly and deeply as is possible at the time is the best rule. Experiment with the breathing methods you prefer.

• Many women like to make noise during labour and birth. Vocalization (like moaning and groaning) can be a tension release, an affirmation or an attention-getting device. Vocalization is often substituted for blowing during transition or in the second stage of labour.